Boiler-tube cleaner



(No Model.) I 1 3 Shee tS -Shet 1. P. W. EDWARDS. BOILER TUBE GLEANER.

Patent-edDe'o. 21, 1897.

witnesses.

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No. 595,908. Patented Dec. 21, 1897.

Attorney.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets+Sheet a. -F.. W. EDWARDS. BOILER TUBE CLEANER;

Patented Dec. Z1, 1897.

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UNITED STATES PATENT @rrronf.

FRANK W. EDWARDS, OF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY.

BOILER-TUBE CLEANER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,908, dated December21, 1897,

Application filed April 24, 1897. $erial No. 633,652. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK W. EDWARDS, of Bayonne, Hudson county, Stateof New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Boiler-Tube Cleaners, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to boiler-tube cleaners; and it consists ofcertain improvements, which are fully set forth in the followingspecification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a partthereof.

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable construction ofboiler-tube cleaners which shall employ a head adapted to be movedslowly through the tube and guided thereby, combined with arapidly-vibrating hammer operated by steam or air pressure which shallhave a capacity of delivering blows in rapid succession upon theinterior walls of the tube, whereby the scale or deposit upon theinterior shall be detached and at the same time scale or incrustationupon the outside of the tube shall be loosened and removed, due to theconcussion of the hammer upon the tube.

In carrying out my invention I employ a head composed of a solid castinghaving fitted thereto a pivoted hammer, combined withatransversely-operating piston arranged to directly vibrate the hammerand an automatic valve to control the movement of the piston, the saidcylinder and piston being inclosed by a sheath or casing, forming theouter wall of the head and held in place by a suitable cap.

Furthermore, myimproved tube-cleaner is provided with ports directedtoward the front, so as to deliver the escaping steam or air toward thehammer to blow before the cleaner all the loosened scale or deposits andthereby avoid binding or clogging of the cleaner within the tube andalso to insure the hammer operating upon undetached portions of thescale and not upon accumulations which might fall in the vicinity of thehammer or be pushed along under the action of the head in its forwardmovement. In this manner the hammer operates with the greatest effectand with the most rapid results. The head is connected to the end of thehollow rod or tube, into which steam or air is forced under pressure,and by which tubular rod the position of the head within the boiler-tube is also definitely secured. During the forward movement of thecleaner through the tube it is slowly revolved, so that the hammer isenabled to operate upon every portion thereof. A boiler-tu be cleaner ofthis character has an advantage over the ordinary scraper-cleaners inthat it cleans both the inside and outside of the tubes, performs itswork more rapidly and perfectly, and if there is a weakness in any tubewhich might, under the pressure of the boiler after cleaning, be liableto burst or leak said weakness is readily detected by the action of thehammer, or brought to such condition that immediately upon putting thesmallest pressure in the boiler the defect is made apparent beforeserious dam age is done.

A feature which is of the greatest importance in connection with theconstruction herein set out is that in all steam-actuatedconcussion-cleaners which I have heretofore had occasion to use theparts were so constructed as to quickly become worn out, the defect fromthis cause frequently permitting a life of only a few hours. Myimprovedconstruction has been specially designed with the object of securing thegreatest possible life to a machine of this character, and the practicalexperience with the said machine shows it to have the desirablerequisites of durability and proof against objectionable lost motion andof getting out of repair.

My invention will be better understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved boiler-tubecleaner with a portion of the head cut away. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional elevation of same on line 00a: of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is aperspective view of the casing and cap removed. Fig. tis a perspectiveview of the complete boiler-tube cleaner with the said casing and capdisconnected, and Figs. 5 and 6 are'views corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2with modifications.

A is a solid cylindrical casting provided at one end with a flange A andat the other end with a deep transverse notch or aperture B and ascrew-threaded end 19. Fitted to the through which the steam or air issupplied for operating the cleaner. Encircling the casting A is atubular sleeve or casing G, and this is held in place by means of theflange A at one end and the cap D, which is secured upon thescrew-threaded end Z) of the casting A at the other end. The cap D isprovided with an aperture d through its end, in which the shank of thehammer E operates. The hammer E is pivoted in the end B of the casting Aupon a pin F, and the free end extends through the cap D and is providedwith the hammer-head E, which may be circular in form, and alsofurnished, if desired, with knife or serrated edges e around its forwardedge, the object of which is to subdivide or cut off projecting portionsof the scale immediately in the plane and path of the hammer, so as tomore readily loosen and disintegrate it. If desired, these knife edgesor serrations may only be upon those portions of the hammer-head whichare in the direct plane of the blow. The rear end of the hammer E isprovided with an extension or arm E which fits into a notch or slot H ona transversely-reciprocatin g piston H. This piston may consist of asolid cylindrical block and formed with a transverse slot 11, beforereferred to, for receiving the arm of the hammer. The piston snugly fitsa cylinder-casin g G, which is forced into a transverse cylindricalaperture through the casting A. The piston does not require any packing,as the question of leakage is of no special importance except to insurethe properworking of the valve-ports.

By employing the removable cylinder-casing G it is evident that when thesame becomes worn it may readily be removed and a new casing inserted.The same is also true of the piston. Arranged parallel to the cylinderand piston is an automatic piston-valve J, which controls the steam fromthe tubular rod L in its passage into the ends of the cylinder. Asshown, the steam passes by the valve-cylinder I, through the port 76,into the cylinder G at one end of the piston, while the expended steamescapes from the other end of the cylinder through corresponding ports76 into the exhaust-port K, which surrounds the cylinder-casing G, andis directed to the forward end of the casting, so as to open into theslot B, with the object that the escaping steam shall find a passagetoward the hammer for the purpose of blowing away any detached scale. Toreciprocate the valve J, I provide a port 72. in the piston 11 and twoports 1', leading to opposite sides of the valve and with which the port7L alternately connects. The Valve J is also provided with small portsjat each end for the purpose of allowing steam to pass to the oppositeend of the valve for reciprocating the valve as an entirety.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be observed that as the piston H descendsthe ports h will ultimately arrive in line with the port 1'. YVhen thistakes place, the steam which passes through the lower port j in thevalve finds a ready escape through the ports 1' h and the transverseslot E in the arm E of the hammer,while the steam passing through theports j of the valve has no outlet or relief and instantly raises thevalve. This produces a reverse movement of the piston 11 and ultimatelya reverse movement of the valve, said actions taking place with greatrapidity, the speed of which is practically limited by the rate ofvibration of the hammer E, acting as a pendulum. The ends of thevalve-cylinder and of the piston cylinder are positively closed by thecylinder-casing O, which is fitted over the casting A. Broadlyconsidered, the particular construction of the valve is immaterial to myinvention, though it should be automatic, and the construction shown ismost durable and excellently adapted to the purpose.

As the tubes to be cleaned vary in size, it

is desirable to provide means to adapt the head to such different sizesto avoid the necessity of an excessive number of sizes of tubecleaners.This is secured by placing an annular ring 0 between the flange A andthe tubularcasing O, the said ring being of a diameter substantial tofit the interior of the tube and thus centralize the head and thehammer. Furthermore, it reduces the friction and labor of moving thehead to a minimum. It is simply necessary to place a ring of differentdiameter upon the head to suit the requirements of different diametersof tubes; but it will be understood that this method of adapting thecleaner to differentsized tubes is limited by the possible throw orvibration of the hammer.

As it is important to cause a quick relief of the exhaust-steam when theimpetus to the hammer is secured, I prefer to provide outlet-ports Rdirectly through the cylindercasing G into the exhaust-ports K. \Vhen tothe hammer is given the momentum, it will of necessity cause the pistonto continue its throw to secure the necessary operation of the valve J,and as the rapidity of movement is so great the passage of live steamthrough said ports is not objectionable, since it is not excessive andwhat does pass is fully utilized in the blast which is utilized to movethe detached scale or material within the tube.

To further assist the hammer in detaching and clearing the scale fromthe interior of the tube, I prefer to employ longitudinal bypasses m, M,and M in the casting A and cap D. (More clearly shown in Figs. 1, 3, and4.) These by-passes consist of ports on, leading from the steam-supplychamber Z, longitudinal channels or ports M, formed in the periphery ofthe casting A and inclosed by the casing G, so as to be readily cleanedwhen desired, and the oblique ports or nozzles M through the head anddirected obliquely for the purpose of causing a rotary action to theblast, so as to act upon the scale immediately in front of the pointswhere the hammer is to operate, whereby it is enabled at all times toact upon, detach, and move forward all portions of the loosened scale.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown somedetails not embodied in the construction of my invention shown in Figs.1 and 2. WVhile the general construction is the same in both cases, Ihave provided the valve J with a removable cylinder J, corresponding tothe removable cylinder G for the piston H, whereby it may be replacedwhen worn and keep the valve in good working condition. The wear on thevalve comes mainly from the great vibration imparted to the apparatus bythe blows of the hammer, which fall at the rate of about two thousandper minute, while the valve is performing the same number ofreciprocations. I have also shown the head E of the hammer removable andadjustable. As shown, it is fitted upon a tapered end of the hammer-armE and held in place by a clamping-screw E By this means'the head may beadjusted to bring new portions into action when the former portions inaction become worn, and, finally, a new head may be substituted, ifdesired, and the heads may be replaced by others shaped to suit theparticular work to be performed.

Another feature of improvement shown in Figs. 5 and 6 is that the pistonH is provided with port-section T, of hardened steel, which is pressedagainst the interior of the cylinder by the springs 25, so as. to makethe port it, which controls the valve movement, operate withoutexcessive leakage even when the piston H is worn by use. The remainingfeatures of Figs. 5 and 6 are in all material respects similar to thoseof Figs. 1 to 4.

While I prefer the construction shown, I do not limit myself to theminor details, as they may be modified in various wayswithw outdeparting from the principles of my invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a boiler-tube cleaner, ahead attached to the end of a tubular rodor blast-pipe combined with a pivoted vibrating hammer, pivoted to thehead and having a rear end beyond the pivot, atransversely-reciprocating piston having a slot extending only part waythrough the piston into which the rear end of the hammer projects and bywhich it is operated, and an automatic valve for controlling the supplyof steam or air to either end of the piston.

2. In a boiler-tube cleaner, a head attached to the end of a tubular rodor blast-pipe, combined with a pivoted vibrating hammer pivoted to thehead and having a rear end beyond the pivot, atransversely-reciprocating piston having a slot extending only part waythrough the piston into which the rear end of the hammer projects and bywhich it is operated, an automatic Valve forcontrolling the supply ofsteam or air to either end of the piston, and blast-ports leading fromthe cylinder to the forward part of the head so as to direct a strongforward current of steam or air to clear the tube.

3. In a boiler-tube cleaner, a head attached to the end of a tubular rodor blast-pipe, combined with a pivoted vibrating hammer pivoted to thehead and having a rear end beyondthe pivot, a transversely-reciprocatingpiston having a slot extending only part way through the piston intowhich the rear end of the hammer projects and by which it is operated,an automatic valve for controlling the supply of steam or air to eitherfree end of the piston, and obliquely-directed passageways M fordirecting steam or air under pressure through the forward end of thehead so as to act upon the scale in the tube substantially in line withthe action of the vibrating hammer and causing it to assume a spiralmotion.

4. In a boiler-tube cleaner, a head attached to the end of a tubular rodor blast-pipe, combined with a pivoted vibrating hammer pivoted to thehead and having a rear end beyond the pivot, atransversely-reciprocating piston having a slot extending only part waythrough the piston/into which the rear end of the hammer projects and bywhich it is operated, a removable cylinder or casing for the pistonarranged transversely through the head and having a large centralopening through which the hammer extends to make connection with thepiston.

5. In a boiler-tube cleaner, the combination of a cylindrical castinghaving a recessed or slotted end and a transverse cylinder, a sleeve orcasing fitting over the said casting so as to form the heads of thecylinder, a detachable cap securely fastened to the forward end of thecylindrical casting and having an aperture through which the hammeroperates, a vibrating hammer pivoted in the slotted end of the head uponan axis transverse to the cylinder and having arearwardly-extending armextending into and terminating in the body of the cylinder, areciprocating piston fitted to said cylinder and having a transverseslot for receiving the rear arm of the hammer, an automatic valve forcontrolling the supply of steam to either end of the cylinder, and atubular rod secured to the rear end of the cleaner for supplying steamor air under pressure to the valve and cylinder.

6. In a boiler-tube cleaner, the combination of a cylindrical castinghaving a recessed or slotted end and a transverse cylinder, a sleeve orcasing fitting over the said casting so as to form the heads of thecylinder, a detachable cap securely fastened to the forward end of thecylindrical casting and having an aperture through which the hammeroperates, a vibrating hammer pivoted in the slotted end of the head uponan axis transversely to the cylinder and having a rearwardly-extendingarm extending into and terminating in the body of the cylinder, areciprocating piston fitted to said cylinder and having a transverseslot for receiving the rear arm of the hammer, an automatic valve forcontrolling the supply of steam to either end of the cylinder, a tubularrod secured to the rear end of the cleaner for supplying steam or airunder pressure to the valve, and exhaust-ports leading from the cylinderto the forward part of the cylindrical casting so as to project a blastof steam or air in the direction of the vibrating hammer.

7. In a boiler-tube cleaner, the combination of a cylindrical castinghaving a transverse cylinder, a sleeve or casing fitting over the saidcasting so as to form the heads of the cylinder, a detachable capsecurely fastened to the forward end of the cylindrical casting andhaving an aperture through which the hammer operates, a vibrating hammerpivoted upon an axis transversely to the cylinder and having arearwardly-extending arm extending into the body of the cylinder, areciprocating piston fitted to said cylinder and having a transverseslot for receiving the arm of t the hammer, an automatic valve forcontrolling the supply of steam to either end of the cylinder, a tubularrod secured to the rear end of the cleaner for supplying steam or airunder pressure to the valve and cylinder, exhaust-ports leading from thecylinder to the forward part of the cylindrical casting so as to projecta blast of steam or air in the direction of the vibrating hammer, andbypasses for steam or air extending from the steam or air ports to theforward end of the cap and directed obliquely to the end of the capwhereby a rotary action is secured to the steam or air at the forwardend of the cleaner and adjacent to the hammer-head.

8. In a boiler-tube cleaner, the combination of acylindrical casting orhead having a transverse cylinder detachably secured in a transverseaperture through the cylindrical casting, a sleeve or casing fittingover the said casting so as to form the heads of the cylinder, adetachable cap securely fastened to the forward end of the cylindricalcasting or head to hold the sleeve in place and having an aperturethrough which the hammer operates, a vibrating hammer pivoted in thehead upon an axis transversely to the cylinder and having arearwardly-extending arm projecting through the cylindrical casting andthe middle portion of the wall of the cylinder and into and terminatingin the interior thereof, a reciprocating piston fitted to said cylinderand having a slot on one side for receiving the arm of the hammer, anautomatic valve for controlling the supply of steam to either end of thecylinder, and a tubular rod secured to the rear end of the cleaner forsupplying steam or air under pressure to the valve.

9. In a boiler-tube cleaner, a head attached to the end of a tubular rodor blast-pipe, combined with a pivoted vibrating hammer hav ing a freerear extension, a transversely-reciprocating piston having a slot intowhich the rear extension of the hammer projects and by which it isoperated so that the hammer-head and piston simultaneously move inopposite directions, an automatic valve for controlling the supply ofsteam or air to either end of the piston, and relief exhaust-portsopening through the cylinder near each end and opened and closed by themovement of the piston to permit the escape of steam from the cylinderafter a given portion of the stroke has been secured.

10. In a boiler-tube cleaner,the combination of a suitable head, avibrating hammer provided with an enlarged head having asmooth hammerportion to deliver the blow, and an obliqueknife orserrated portionimmediately in the front for operating upon the scale adjacent to thatupon which the blow is delivered, and power mechanism contained withinthe head for vibrating the hammer.

11. In a boiler-tube cleaner,the combination of a suitable cleaner-headsecured to the end of a tubular rod or blast-pipe, a vibratinghammer-arm pivoted to the head, a removable hammer-head adj ustablysecured to the arm and having an annular smooth part and an annularserrated or cutting part, and power mechanism contained within thecleaner-head for vibrating the hammer-arm.

12. In aboiler-tubecleaner, ahead attached to one end of a tubular rodor blast-pipe, in combination with a transversely-reciprocating pistonmovable in the head, a vibrating hammer pivoted intermediate of its endsin the head between the piston and forward end of the head and having adirect loose conncction with the piston, and a valve independent of thehammer controlled by the movements of the piston for governing itsreciprocation.

13. In a boiler-tube cleaner, ahead attached to one end of a tubular rodor blast-pipe and open at its'end, in combination with atransversely-reciprocating piston having a recess in one side adjacentto the open end of the head, a vibrating hammer extending through theopen end of the head and pivoted thereto between the piston and end ofthe head, a mechanical connection between the hammer and recess in thepiston whereby the latter vibrates the hammer, and an automatic valve tocontrol the supply of steam or air to either end of the pistonconsisting of a reciprocating cylindrical valve moved by a difference inpressure of steam on opposite faces, and a relief-port extendingtransversely through the reciprocating piston for reducing the pressureon either side of the valve to cause its automatic reciprocation with aspeed commensurate with that of the piston.

14:. In a boiler-tube cleaner, a head attached to one end of a tubularrod or blast-pipe, in combination with a pivoted vibrating hammer, atransversely-reciprocatin g piston having a mechanical connection withthe hammer to vibrate it, and an automatic valve to control the supplyof steam or air to either end of the piston consisting of areciprocating cylindrical valve moved by a difference in pressure ofsteam on opposite faces, a springpressed plate moving with the pistonand provided with a relief-port for reducing the pressure on either sideof the valve to cause its automatic reciprocation with a speedcommensurate with that of the piston.

15. In aboiler-tube cleaner, ahead attached to the tubular rod orblast-pipe provided with a pivoted vibrating hammer, atransverselyreciprocating piston for operating said hammer arrangedWithin the head, an automatic reciprocating cylindrical valve forcontrolling the supply of steam to either end of the piston, and aremovable valve-casing having a central transverse perforated diaphragmfitted transversely through the head and having ports communicating withthe cylinder in which the reciprocating piston operates and also withthe tubular rod or blast-pipe, the diaphragm receiving the end thrustsor blows of the valve in its rapid reciprocation.

16. In a boiler-tube cleaner,the combination of a head secured to theend of a tubular rod or blast-pipe, a hammer pivoted in the head andadapted to vibrate, a transverse cylinder formed in the head, areciprocating piston for operating the vibrating hammer and providedwith a relief-port h, a valve-chamber I, a reciprocating cylindricalvalve J movable therein and controlling the steam or air through theports K is to or from the main cylinder, means to supply live steam toopposite ends of the cylindrical valve, and relief-ports i from thevalve-chamber the escape of steam through which is controlled by therelief-port h of the piston to relieve the pressure of the steam onportions of the valve to cause the said valve to reciprocate.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

FRANK W. EDWVARDS.

Witnesses:

H. G. WILLIAMS, 0. E. MORSE.

